• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Which Radeon? Ugh, so many...

P

Profyrion

Member
Greetings all. I'm looking to upgrade the video card in my aging T-Bird 1.2GHz machine for use as an HTPC. Its got a vanilla 32MB GeForce 2 MX 400 in it now, and without S-Video/Composite output its not gonna cut it for an HTPC application.

I'm an nVidia man, but with everyone raving over the Radeon boards lately I figured I should check them out; at least for my secondary system (running GF4 Ti4600 in my gaming rig). All the options are starting to give me a headache, and since I know so little about about ATI cards I wonder if you could help me with some recommendations. Honestly, I don't have the time to invest in deep research into every single Radeon chipset (it looks like there are 5?). I appreciate any help.

Some basic guidelines:
Needs to be less than $100 (less than $80 would be ideal)
Should have at least composite TV-out
-- TV-in would be fantastic, but I can get that through an add-in board
64MB VRAM or more
Games and bonus software/junk not necessary (meaning OEM is fine)

Thanks in advance guys.
 
A good basic Radeon is the original 7200 - the Radeon 64 VIVO. You should be able to get it well under $80 . . . good Video In/Video Out and excellent for DX 7 and OK for most DX 8 games.

EDIT: Silly me! 😱 Did I leave a "2" out of 7000?
 
I should add that since this system well be hooked up to my 27" television, I won't be playing a lot of games on it. The few games I do run will be limited to 640x480 as a result.

I'm assuming modern TV-out has this limitation because if the inherently low resolution of TVs.
 
Originally posted by: apoppin
A good basic Radeon is the original 7000 - the Radeon 64 VIVO. You should be able to get it well under $80 . . . good Video In/Video Out and excellent for DX 7 and OK for most DX 8 games.
Click to expand...

I vote for that card also. It's been out for a while so the price should've dropped within your price range. I'm still using that card and it handles my CS games fine 🙂.

What's HTPC by the way? Sorry! 😛

Edit: I'm gonna take a wild guess and say Home Theatre PC?
 
Yeah, hehe. Sorry.

Home Theater Personal Computer

I want to setup a sort of TIVO system to record shows, archive my favs, and playback DVDs/VCDs.
 
yeah i have the ATi 7000 series dual DVI and it gets constant 72fps in cs.. and my ti4600 gets 72fps in cs also w/o tweaking.

But ATI driver left me little to desire for.. lots of lock up. Its not bad.. but... I wouldn't press my luck.. new ati driver are out this week.. cat 2.4
 
Any opinions on the All-In-Wonder Radeon 7500? It seems to have the features I'm looking for, and (I think) is an older chipset. I'm not sure on the price though... Still looking.
 
Another vote for the 7000

I have the 8500 right now, and I'm loving it. Paid $89 from NewEgg with free shipping. Dunno if that 's what your looking for though
 
Originally posted by: Profyrion
Any opinions on the All-In-Wonder Radeon 7500? It seems to have the features I'm looking for, and (I think) is an older chipset. I'm not sure on the price though... Still looking.
Click to expand...

nice board based on the same radeon core has the 7000, just clocked a lot higher.
 
According to the numbering scheme, the original Radeon (Radeon 256 and Radeon VIVO) was a 7200 core. The 7000 (VE) came later as it was a budget redesign for the non-gaming market with a reduced 64-bit bus and no Charisma Engine (HTL), but added dual RAMDACs.

A Radeon VIVO would do the trick if using an external tuner (TV, VCR), but would not really help for "TIVO" since an additional input card with tuner would still be required. The 7500 AIW includes a tuner and remote, performs much better and also has the dual independent outputs. You would have to get a used one (or a bare one sans remote) to be within your budget but it really seems ideal for what you want and would save the hastle of an additional VI card.
 
Another card you can look at is the Radeon8500LE 128MB
I'm pretty sure it has TV-Out.
I know FutureShop in Canada has it for $150CA which should be well under $100US.
www.futureshop.ca
Also ATI has the 64MB version for $79

If thats more then you need. The 7000 is a nice card, my friend uses it plays every current game he wants well with this TB1400.
 
First of all, the Radeon 7000 is the Radeon VE (which is crap), not the Radeon 64 VIVO.

The Radeon 64 VIVO still draws quite a premium.

Try to get a Radeon 8500 (LE), it has everything you need, and it will wipe the floor with most other cards.
 
Originally posted by: RSMemphis
First of all, the Radeon 7000 is the Radeon VE (which is crap), not the Radeon 64 VIVO.

The Radeon 64 VIVO still draws quite a premium.

Try to get a Radeon 8500 (LE), it has everything you need, and it will wipe the floor with most other cards.
Click to expand...

Agreed, the 8500 is a solid card and packs great features for a HTPC. If the price is right though, a AIW 7500 seems to be by far the best choice for you. Slower in games, but includes a tuner and remote among other things.

EDIT :

Here's a AIW 7500 for $114.00. If you were going to buy an add on TV tuner card then use the $30-40 that would cost and put it towards this. 🙂
 
Awesome. Thanks for your help guys.

I'll probably lay down the extra cash and grab the A-I-W 7500, since it appears to have everything I need in one package.
 
Originally posted by: forcesho
yeah i have the ATi 7000 series dual DVI and it gets constant 72fps in cs.. and my ti4600 gets 72fps in cs also w/o tweaking.
Click to expand...

no tweaking?! bah! i get 100 fps constant w/ a gf2 mx 400 by just turning off vertical sync. lol, though cs isn't much of a test to the 4600.

back to the real question, i'd go with an 8500 if you can find one within your price range.
 
A good basic Radeon is the original 7000 - the Radeon 64 VIVO.
Click to expand...
The Radeon 7000 is not the Radeon 64 VIVO. It has only one rendering pipe and no T&L engine.

Also keep in mind that if you get the 7000, you can't play any 3D games on it as it's far too slow. Even GLQuake doesn't run acceptably on it.

 
Pardon the noob question, but is it easy to convert S-Video to Composite? I don't recall having an S-Video input on my JVC television.

Its a battle between the AIW 7500 and the 8500 LE...
😛
 
the 8500 would be your best bet. with the 7000 series you will be in the same situation that you are with your Geforce MX real soon. the 8500 is real cheap now, should be not much more then 20 bucks over the 7000
 
usually cards with s-video come come with a converter to composite
my elsa geforce 2 ti came with it
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top